The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® has donated to Parry Sound Harvest Share as part of their Ontario REALTORS Care® and Tragic Relief Fund programs in an effort to help support the families and individuals who are feeling the impact of the pandemic and the people who are working tirelessly to help them to put healthy food on the table.

“It was wonderful to receive the generous donation from The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® during COVID-19. The economic impact and job losses during this time has made it difficult for many families and individuals to afford food,” says Wendy Pegahmagabow,
Executive Director of Parry Sound Harvest Share. “Through this support from community minded individuals, agencies and organizations, Harvest Share will continue to provide much needed healthy and nutritious food for individuals and families in need in Parry Sound. We truly are in this together!”

According to Food Banks Canada, the number of people requiring help has skyrocketed by at least 20 percent in most regions across the country since the lockdown began, with projections that these numbers will continue to rise in the weeks and months to come. Parry Sound Harvest Share’s mission is to improve access to healthy, nutritious food for individuals and families in need in the District of Parry Sound, through a variety of programs.

“At the Lakelands Association of REALTORS® we strongly believe in supporting our communities in any way we can. We understand that COVID-19 and government restrictions have had a major effect on our communities and intensified financial instability,” says local REALTOR® Chuck Murney, who represents Parry Sound on The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. “Through the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation, which is a province-wide REALTORS® initiative, we have been able to provide additional funds to support Harvest Share in Parry Sound in everything they do to support the community.”

Between the two organizations – the association’s Tragic Relief Fund and The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® has donated $10,780 to food banks in the regions they represent (Haliburton, Muskoka, Orillia and Parry Sound) in response to the pandemic.

Provincially, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has donated $480,000 to Ontario shelters and shelter-based charities through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. OREA’s donation will reach the most vulnerable populations through more than 50 shelters and food banks across Ontario.
________________________________________________________

The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, formerly the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation was established in 1967. The Foundation supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario, making a difference in the lives of people and communities where REALTORS® live and conduct business.

The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® holds a Tragic Relief fund in their budget to help support significant local causes. The committee responsible for the fund considers tragic events throughout Parry Sound, Muskoka, Orillia and Haliburton that require an injection of funds to prevent further impact.

Contact:
Crystal Henderson, Executive Director of The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®
chenderson@thelakelands.ca